Authorities suspect victim died from smoke inhalation

OLDTOWN - A Bonner County man was killed early Friday morning after fire broke out in his home south of town.

Bonner County Sheriff's officials identified the victim as Byron C. Shults, 84. Sheriff's detectives and the Idaho State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating the incident.

A cause of the death was not released, although preliminary findings suggest Shults was overcome by smoke. The cause of the fire also remains under investigation.

West Pend Oreille Fire District firefighters were summoned to Schults' home at 35946 Highway 41 at about 6:15 a.m.

Shults' 75-year-old widow, Donna, told sheriff's deputies she left the home at about 5:50 a.m., after putting two pieces of wood in the couple's stove, according to a sheriff's news release.

Donna Shults said her husband was seated in a living room chair when she departed. When she returned to the home 15-20 minutes later, Donna Shults reported seeing black smoke pouring from the residence, the release said.

She attempted to enter the residence, but was turned back by the fire and went next door to call for help. Firefighters arrived and entered the home, where they found Byron Shults near a back door, the news release said.

Investigators believe Shults was attempting to flee the home when he was overcome.

Efforts to obtain further information from the sheriff's office late Friday were not successful.